Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday launched the Martyrs’ Honor Yatra 2 from the residence of martyr Rifleman Naresh Kumar on Gujrada Mansingh Sahastradhara Road. Earlier, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the martyrs by garlanding the portrait of martyr Rifleman Naresh Kumar and laying a wreath at the martyr’s memorial. On this occasion, the Chief Minister met with the family of martyr Naresh Kumar and collected soil from their courtyard. He also invited the martyr’s family to attend the Martyrs’ Honor Ceremony. The Chief Minister said that the state government has constructed a Shaurya Sthal (Military Dham) in Guniyal village, Dehradun, where sacred soil from the homes and courtyards of all the martyred soldiers of the state is being buried.
The Chief Minister said that this Martyrs’ Honor Yatra is dedicated to those immortal martyrs whose valor and sacrifice will always inspire us. Our martyrs have sacrificed their today for our tomorrow. It is because of their sacrifice and valor that we are all safe and free. The Chief Minister paid homage to the martyrs with reverence and gratitude, saying that their sacrifice can never be forgotten. The Chief Minister said that this is a proud moment for us, as we express our gratitude to the families who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. The sacrifice of the martyrs teaches us that the true value of life lies in sacrifice, service, and dedication.
The Chief Minister said that numerous welfare schemes are being implemented in the state for the welfare of the families of martyrs. Since 2018, 28 martyr dependents have been appointed according to their qualifications, and the appointment process for 13 more is underway. The lump sum ex-gratia grant to the families of martyrs, which was previously ₹10 lakh, has been increased to ₹50 lakh. Similarly, the amount given to Uttarakhand’s Param Vir Chakra-decorated soldiers and their widows has been increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹1.5 crore. Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to appoint former soldiers as block representatives and provide them with an honorarium. Currently, this honorarium is ₹8,000 per month, which has been increased to ₹10,000 per month.
On this occasion, Military Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi stated that prior to the construction of the Sainyadham in Dehradun, sacred soil from the courtyards of 1,734 martyrs of the state had been brought to the Sainyadham. The tradition of honoring martyrs in the state began in 2021. That year, Martyr Honor Ceremonies were held at the district and state levels, and copper plates were presented to the families of martyrs. In 2021, due to certain reasons, soil from the courtyards of 39 martyred soldiers could not be collected. Subsequently, between 2021 and 2025, 32 more brave soldiers from the state sacrificed their lives for the motherland. In honor of these 71 brave soldiers, our government is organizing the Martyrs’ Honor Yatra from September 25, 2025, to October 4, 2025.
He stated that this Yatra will continue until October 4, and on October 5, the Martyrs’ Honor Yatra Rath will depart for Lansdowne with the families of the martyrs in a grand ceremony. The families of the martyrs will be honored at the Military Honor Ceremony there. He explained that during the Yatra, officials from the Military Welfare Department will visit the homes of the martyrs and collect soil from their courtyards in an urn. This sacred soil will be incorporated into the Military Memorial before its inauguration. Minister for Military Welfare Joshi stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government is continuously striving for the welfare of the martyrs and their dependents.
On this occasion, Major General (Retd) Sammy Sabharwal, President of 14th Garhwal Rifles Organisation Captain (Retd) Umadatt Joshi, Colonel Veteran Aditya Srivastava, Director of Sainik Welfare Department Brigadier (Retd) Amrit Lal, Captain (Retd) Anand Rana along with a large number of ex-servicemen and public representatives were present.
